AAs handbag lovers, we are always looking to build our collections and find bags that we simply love to no end. However, acquiring the perfect bags is no easy task , which often results in endless wish lists and bag fantasies. At the top of your long term wish list is the “Holy Grail Bag” or HGB. A Holy Grail Bag is a bag that you desire intensely and that is your “end all be all” bag, but is hard to attain. Over the past few years especially, the Hermes Birkin bag has come to be associated with theultimate Holy Grail bag. Undoubtedly, the Birkin is one the most well constructed and aesthetically pleasing bags in history. However, from an objective standpoint, the Birkin craze is indeed hard to grasp overall.

PurseBop asks WHY Birkin? How does the Birkin manage to become the ultimate HGB for almost every fashionista?

We can only speculate, but read the reasons below to find out why the Birkin effortlessly wins so many hearts…

1. The Birkin is the epitome of luxury

To many outside the handbag world, the word “Birkin” has more weight than “Hermes” because the bag itself is a huge icon. However, the Birkin was only able to become THE Birkin because it was an incredible Hermes’ masterpiece. Birkins are handmade and put through rigorous craftsmanship and quality control processes. Perfection is the main idea behind a Birkin, and it’s hard not to lust after something that is considered the best and incomparable to its peer.

2. The Birkin leaves us breathless

The very look of the Birkin defines the picture perfect dream bag for most. It is classic, but timelessly flattering and chic. The B’s clean silhouette, in combination with rich, vivid materials and colors, creates an effect of awe every time. The Birkin is easily a HGB because it makes an effective statement and fits our ideal expectations of a handbag.

3. We are consumed by the "Birkin Culture"

The Birkin has become the bag to strive for due to the influence of mass media. Many celebrities show their appreciation for the Birkin everyday, which creates an even bigger bandwagon effect. TV shows and songs portray the B as impossible to get. It is glamorized as the marker of everything good about living the luxury life.

4. The Birkin is a fashion unicorn - highly mysterious and intriguing

With limited availability and high price tags, getting a hold of an elusive B can sometimes seem more like a fairy tale than reality. Hermes maintains the image that the Birkin is a distantly beautiful, unattainable marvel. Learning about stock of a Birkin from an SA is a privileged or fateful opportunity. In addition, exact prices of bags are not directly available from the Hermes website or by phone. Without additional resources or in-person experience, getting a fuller idea of the significance of Birkin can be difficult. Being offered a Birkin and purchasing one makes you feel like you’ve discovered Hermes secret magic.

5. Winning the Birkin battle is an accomplisment within itself

Deciding on the perfect Birkin and the finding it can be a lengthy process, and sometimes a challenge you must persevere through. Researching the bags and developing a relationship with an SA is like gearing up for a game almost! Unfortunately, the Birkin game has high financial stakes, but low odds. Achieving victory with a Birkin doesn’t come without effort, and the bag itself is a marker for that.

6. We need the golden 'H' stamp

To some extent, owning a Birkin is seen as a status symbol of exclusivity. The Hermes logo itself is a factor, but the legacy and reputation of the bag is the biggest part of it’s appeal. Acquiring your HGB Birkin makes you feel lucky enough to represent a bag that so many fashionistas have beautifully pulled off in the past.

7. It's an investment!

Hermes Birkin bags hold their value spectacularly. On the second hand market, they tend to sell for even more due to preferred color and leather combinations being rare. The Birkin is on a lot of people’s HBG list because it seems like a smart, “can’t go wrong purchase”. Aside from monetary value, buying a quality bag that amps up your confidence and aesthetic is a long term investment. Having one amazing item that transforms your look and gives off the right impression better equips you to grow professionally, socially, and personally.

8. The Birkin is more than just a bag

All the aforementioned facts from the quality, to the popularity, to the stunning design, and even to the involved nature of choosing a B, help elevate the Birkin to a level beyond a simple “leather accessory”. Carrying a Birkin becomes an experience, and for some, the Birkin is an important aspect of their fashion lifestyle. The Birkin characterizes the essence of a Holy Grail Bag because it’s proven time and time again to live up to its impeccable reputation. Being able to experience the paragon of luxury through an exquisite handbag becomes a vision, goal, and dream for many fashionistas.

So, PurseBop must know: what is your HGB? Has the Birkin ever made it on your Holy Grail Bag list?

This model is so well known that I don’t think there is anybody in this world that haven’t heard about Hermes and doesn’t know how a Birkin bag looks like. This particular model, Hermes Birkin, has been considered along the years one of the most legendary bags created. It has style and represents luxury with every single part of it. Every day it becomes more and more popular and if celebrities wear it we have wear it too, don’t we? These are the reasons Hermes Birkin Togo is today the most wanted handbag among the ladies.

Today I am going to talk about the most known version: the Birkin brown leather model with silver hardware. I literally love this model it is my favorite bag in the world. It can accessorize almost everything you are wearing, even if it is day or night and it has enough space inside to fit all your lady stuff. I cannot remember how many times this bag saved me when I didn’t know what to wear when I was going out, to work or to an important business meeting. Hermes Birkin has a very well-known shape. You can spot it from distance if you have only a bit of idea about the fashion world. This model distinguishes itself from the other bags by its square shape, rounded double handles and its very special belt.

The material used to create this amazingly beautiful model is very tough leather that permits the bag to stand on its own very firmly. I am not very pleased with the time I have to spend opening it if I have completely closed it in advance. It really takes a great time to open it and close it because it has a very complex and complicated closing system. But considering it is a large size bag and I have enough room for all my stuff inside I can get over the time spent on opening and closing it.

The handles of this model are made out of the same tough leather that allows them to naturally curve and create two perfect and long semi-ovals. They are not very thick extremely nice rounded and the stitching goes on all the length of the handles creating an amazing look. The stitching not only makes the handles have a distinguish appearance but they also have the role of reinforcing the two handles. If you have the chance of wearing one of these models you will be very surprised and also pleased of how easy this Hermes Birkin can be worn and how perfect it fits on your arm.

This Hermes Birkin Togo replicates perfectly the original purse, it doesn’t have any additional pockets at the outside or other storage features, but it has the double leather pull handles that keep the bag compressed and helps closing it, just like on the genuine one. I must say I am quite amazed by how well this manufacturer reproduced this particular model.

Inside the bag there is a small pocket but it is really slim and there is not much you can carry in it. Other that this there is no other features inside that could make it more functional. Inside it is just a very simple large bag that helps you carry all your most prized belongings.

The pattern of the stitching is perfect, the spaces between the stitches are even and there are no imperfections. The only thing that ruins the perfect craftsmanship is the color of the stitching. The original bag has brown stitching and my replica have white stitching. Other than this the sewn is impeccable, only the color is different.

Beyond the locker, on the top front of the bag there is the Hermes logo: “HERMES PARIS MADE IN FRANCE”, this is written on three different rows and it has the correct accent placed on the second “E” from the HERMES word. The color that was used to write this authenticity marking is silver and this makes the logo very easy to be read. At the end of the ending part of the closing belt there is another security element, there is written “HERMES PARIS” and also there the accent is correctly placed on the second “E”.

Other than the tough fine leather there is the high quality stainless steel that completes the perfect look of this amazing bag. The little lock placed on the top front of the bag shines so nice that it is impossible not to adore it.

I definitely love this Hermes Birkin bag, and I am sure that we all can agree that this is a model that will be fashionable forever. I have dreamed of this bag for quite a while, but now I have it and I am very proud of it. This model is a very luxury one and if you cannot afford the original thing you can definitely go for a replica that looks like the one I have just described.

If you've been reading these posts for a while, you probably know that my tone can veer toward snarky from time to time. Ladies and gents, nothing tests my powers of snark-restraint like writing about the Real Housewives of Basically Anywhere. I do try to hold back, because even though Real Housewives are easy targets, we mustn't forget that they are real people, too.

Yes, they actively court the paparazzi on a pre-Kanye Kardashian level, and yes, some of them have made an art out of turning every mundane aspect of their lives into a Life & Style section headline, but they are, at heart, human beings like the rest of us...with amazinghandbags. Check out a few of their latest bag picks below.

Slide 1 / 7

Alexia Echevarria
Chanel Timeless Clutch

That Chanel clutch is the only thing that's timeless about this outfit. (And yes, that joke practically wrote itself.) What exactly is happening here? Are those palazzo pants? I don't watch Real Housewives of Miami; is this the sort of garb that's de riguer?

Slide 2 / 7

Bethenny Frankel
Rag & Bone Enfield Mini Bag

Here's Bethenny Frankel, letting someone have it in NYC while carrying a sweet little bag from Rag & Bone. I love all things Rag & Bone, but this brand is pretty downmarket for Bethenny. We generally see her carrying Hermès, Chanel or Céline.

Slide 3 / 7

Joanna Krupa
Tory Burch Ella Nylon Tote

The Real Housewives of Miami are 0-2 this week. I really do try not to snark on people's personal style, so let's talk about that BAG. It's an oversized tote with a giant Tory Burch logo on it, but it draws the eye away from the rest of the outfit, so let's just say that I'm a fan.

Slide 4 / 7

Kenya Moore
Hermès Birkin

At least we can rely on the Real Housewives of Atlanta to keep it high-end. Kenya's bright red Birkin actually makes her entire ensemble pop. Remember kids, Birkins aren't just five-figure lifestyle statements.

Slide 5 / 7

Kyle Richards
Saint Laurent Monogramme Suede Tote

The further we get from Miami, the better. Here's Kyle Richards, ambling around Beverly Hills, per usual, with a gorgeous suede Saint Laurent bag.

Slide 6 / 7

Lisa Vanderpump
Saint Laurent Monogramme Tote

But wait, here's Lisa Vanderpump exiting the Villa Blanca restaurant a few blocks away, carrying what is essentially the same bag (with a few obvious variations in size and detailing). BAG WARS.

Slide 7 / 7

Yolanda Foster
Hermès Birkin

Finally, someone recently spotted RHOBH's Yolanda Foster handling a five dollar bill like a mere mortal. She's got her own Birkin, of course, but this one is obviously one of the smaller versions, and its exact color remains a mystery.

The header says it all! The only thing that I want to add is that Victoria Beckham can also be known as the Queen of Hermès Birkin bags. And if you insist that I must reveal more about this statement then read on. A US financial website has estimated that this ex-Spice girl’s collection adds up to £1.5million ($2.3 million). Also Thebigmoney.com asserts that she owns around 100 of the style. Since she has always been under close surveillance of fashion police, it is obvious to all that the lady dangles bags worth £42,000 – £80,000 ($ 65,000 – $124,000). Be it silver, black, baby blue, plum, bright red or pink, the lady dares to tease all the fashionistas with her high-priced collection of Hermès Birkin bags.

Sighted! A Hermes Birkin in Emerald. If you ever wonder what the difference are between a Birkin and Kelly; Birkin has two handles, Kelly has only one handle. The closure system is also different. Some people claim that you can get these iconic bags by visiting your local Hermes boutique more often, start purchasing small accessories and built report with the shopping assistance. Soon enough they will flash a Birkin or Kelly into your face.

Not long ago, we brought you the tale of one very rare bag: the Hermès Himalayan Crocodile Birkin above, complete with pavé diamond hardware. The bag, arguably the most sought-after in the world, was about to be sold at Heritage Auctions in Beverly Hills, and some speculated that it might break price records. It didn’t quite make it that high, but it did sell for more than a respectable family home does in many perfectly lovely areas of our fine country.

The record-holder that the Himalayan bag needed to beat was that of another diamond-encrusted crocodile Birkin sold by Heritage, that one in glossy red. It sold for over $200,000, and I still can’t figure out exactly why; it’s a beautiful bag, for sure, but it’s not one that’s known to be rarer than any other exotic, diamond-encrusted Birkin. Perhaps the wife of an oil baron just particularly liked the color.

At any rate, the person who snapped up this Himalayan can count themselves lucky; Hermès has no plans to make additional Himalayan bags available and they’re considered extremely desirable to ultra-rich bag collectors, so snagging one at any price is something of a coup.